Maori health book 'irresponsible'

Co-author Peter Caccioppoli denies the book is deliberately controversial to boost sales. Picture / Dean Purcell

The authors of a controversial book that calls for Maori to smoke, gamble and eat fatty foods if they want to are no strangers to controversy.

Maori Health, co-authored by Peter Caccioppoli and Dr Rhys Cullen, has raised the ire of some health professionals who have labelled its claims - among them that the health system is racist and opposes activities Maori enjoy - irresponsible.

In the book the pair encourage Maori to smoke, gamble, fight and eat what they like.

Mr Caccioppoli yesterday stood by his claims. Telling Maori to stop had failed and it was time to develop alternatives, such as creating a pill to remedy Maori health problems.

"Telling Maori to stop has been ineffectual. We should be developing a poly pill."

The book, published by the Kotahitanga Community Trust, also labels Maori health workers who promote a different message as brainwashed "house niggers" and "health Nazis".

Mr Caccioppoli admits his choice of words could have been influenced by frustration over his dealings with Education Ministry staff in getting funding and recognition for his organisation, the Kotahitanga Community Trust, as a primary health organisation (PHO).

Mr Caccioppoli, who is chairman of the trust, had attempts to establish two PHOs turned down by the Auckland District Health Board last year.

In the same year he campaigned unsuccessfully for a seat on the Counties Manukau District Health Board. In campaign material released at the time, he called for the DHB position of general manager Maori health and its department to be scrapped and the board to end its relationship with Tainui.

The pair are also being prosecuted by the ministry for operating a school from a doctor's surgery without registration or registered teachers.

The school, Te Kura o Kawepo, in Papakura, which has since closed, gained prominence in April when National leader Don Brash visited and praised it.

Mr Caccioppoli and Dr Cullen are being prosecuted by the ministry after allegedly ignoring warnings to close it down.

Dr Brash said at the time that although he did not condone illegal activities, he supported the trust's actions as people who see the education system "failing their children" taking "extreme measures to correct it". Mr Caccioppoli said he was a strong supporter of National and believed the party backed his views.

In January he and 23 trust members accompanied Dr Brash on to the marae at the Ratana celebrations near Wanganui.

Speaking then, Mr Caccioppoli said Maori opposed Dr Brash last year because most of them had not actually read his Orewa speech.

"All this welfare dependency seems to be an easy answer. There should be a time limit on benefits, then after that those on welfare should educate themselves or do work experience."

In 1999 Mr Caccioppoli was involved in an internet-based organisation offering degrees in New Zealand that came under scrutiny from the ministry for calling itself a university.

The same internet education provider, Cyberuni, aroused the suspicion of academic staff around the country about its courses.

Mr Caccioppoli said the venture failed because investor funding could not be raised. He said no degrees had been given out by the group.

In 2002 the two men formed the Kotahitanga Community Trust after an at times acrimonious split with the Papakura marae.

Dr Cullen was GP for the marae, but, according to a Manukau Courier article in July, he and Mr Caccioppoli left amid accusations from both sides of theft and corruption.

Mr Caccioppoli said he had no involvement in the marae. He denied the comments in the book were designed to generate controversy to sell more copies. Dr Cullen could not be reached for comment.